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SEO consulting · updated November 2026
SEO consultant: what they do, what they cost and when to hire one
What a good SEO consultant does in 2026, how much consultants charge, how to choose one, and how our team works with businesses in the US and Latin America.
Short answer
An SEO consultant diagnoses why a website is not getting customers from Google, sets the priorities and guides the technical, content and link work to fix it, now including visibility in AI answers. On average, SEO consultants charge USD 171 per hour or about USD 3,250 per month (Ahrefs). At Pencil Speech, SEO consulting is part of our plans from USD 972 per month.
What an SEO consultant does
- Audit: technical health, content, links and how you compare with competitors.
- Keyword and market research: which searches bring customers and where you can win first.
- Roadmap: a prioritized plan for 6–12 months, with expected impact for each action.
- Guidance and execution: briefs for writers and developers, or doing the work directly.
- AI visibility: tracking and improving how ChatGPT, Gemini and AI Overviews mention your brand.
- Measurement: monthly reports on clicks, leads and revenue, not just rankings.
How much does an SEO consultant cost?
| Model | Typical price (USD) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | Average 171/hour | Specific questions, second opinions, training |
| Monthly retainer | Average 3,250/month | Ongoing strategy for an in-house team |
| One-off audit and roadmap | 1,000–5,000 | A clear plan before investing |
| SEO plan with execution (Pencil Speech) | From 972/month | Strategy and execution in one team |
Averages from the Ahrefs SEO pricing survey (updated 2026). More detail in our SEO pricing guide.
When to hire an SEO consultant
- Your traffic dropped and you do not know why.
- You are planning a redesign or domain migration.
- You have writers or developers but no SEO strategy.
- You want to enter a new market or language (for example, Spanish-speaking customers in the US).
- Your brand does not appear when people ask ChatGPT or Google AI about your category.
How to choose an SEO consultant
- Ask for case studies with data from Search Console or analytics, not screenshots of rankings.
- Check their own visibility in Google for the services they sell.
- Ask what they will do in the first 90 days. A good consultant can explain it in one page.
- Make sure you own every account.
- Avoid guarantees of #1 positions.
How we work at Pencil Speech
Pencil Speech is an SEO agency founded in Caracas in 2017. Our consultants lead each project from the first diagnosis to monthly reporting, in English or Spanish. Some results:
×87
organic traffic for Laboratorios Farma: 1,612 to 139,877 monthly visits (2019–2026, Ahrefs).
+48.8%
Google clicks in six months for Changan Venezuela (Search Console, 2026).
×9
visits to solution pages for Kensington (ACCO Brands, US) three months after optimizing them.
4 → 104
leads per week for Toyo Centro in 2026.
See all our SEO case studies.
Talk to an SEO consultant
Tell us about your website and goals. We will send you a free diagnosis with your quick wins and a 6-month plan.
FAQ about SEO consultants
What does an SEO consultant do?
An SEO consultant audits your website, finds the searches that can bring customers, sets priorities and guides the technical, content and link work needed to rank in Google and AI answers. Some also execute the work; others advise an in-house team.
How much does an SEO consultant cost?
According to Ahrefs, SEO consultants charge USD 171 per hour and about USD 3,250 per month on average. At Pencil Speech, consulting is included in our SEO plans from USD 972 per month.
SEO consultant or SEO agency?
A consultant is best when you have a team that can execute and need senior strategy. An agency is better when you need strategy and execution (content, technical work, links and reporting) in one place.
Do you work with US businesses?
Yes. We work with companies in the US, Venezuela, Colombia and Mexico, in English and Spanish, including bilingual SEO for Hispanic audiences in Florida.
Graduated in Social Communication magna cum laude from the Central University of Venezuela. I like to find the why behind things. The best way to understand a subject is by explaining it. SEO Consultant at Pencil Speech.